Neighbors: Loss of developer for downtown puts city at crossroads

Putnam County News

Palatka residents will get a chance to let city commissioners know what they want for the 100 block adjacent to the riverfront at a public workshop at 6 tonight at the Price-Martin Center on Reid Street (U.S. 17).

With the loss of the developer for the 100 block of St. Johns Avenue, city fathers are seeking some direction. So far the only work on the block has been an ongoing repaving of a parking area plus the removal of trees and shrubs on the riverside.

Now some people are once again seeking to have the historic buildings in the 100 block torn down. While several studies have shown the buildings are structurally sound, opponents say it makes more sense to tear them down and then rebuilt to look like the old buildings. No word on who would be willing to do that development.

The block includes some of the oldest buildings remaining in downtown. They were built after the fire of 1884 that burned down much of old downtown from Third Street to the St. Johns River.

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Christmas must be nearing — it’s time for the opening of the Palatka Art League’s annual Christmas House.

There’s an open house party on Friday at the League’s Tilghman House on River Street.

People will get their first chance to see — and, of course, buy — this year’s output by area artists. That means everything from paintings to crafts, Christmas-themed items to everyday goods.

The house is open from now to Christmas Eve with the artists serving as the shopkeepers. Be sure and stop by — nothing’s more apt to put you in the holiday spirit.

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Dean Campbell and Sam Carr will take you on a trip on the St. Johns River by kayak this Thursday and you don’t even have to get your feet wet.

They’ll be speaking and showing photos of their treks at the monthly meeting of the Putnam County Environmental Council at 7 p.m. at the Palatka Public Library.

The talks come out of 26 trips, a once-a-month venture, that kept up until they had covered all the river. They started paddling in 2003.

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Former exchange student Jill Jackaman was back in town for a whirlwind visit over the weekend.

Friends got a chance to stop by and say hello during a do at the Elks Lodge put on by the Hodge family, who were her “family” when the Australian was the exchange student during the 1967-68 school year.

Jill and her husband, Noel, have just been touring Europe by rail pass for the past two months. And, hard as it is to believe, Jill did it with only one not overly large bag and three pairs of shoes.

Among those dropping by to see Jill were Steve Richter, Tim Smith, Lulu Gail Baird Griffis, Donnie and Alice Faye Adams and Marg Hickey Jensen. Melanie Hodge Crews, Jill’s sister that year, was up from Bunnell to chat. Her brothers, Stanley and John Hodge, and their families were also on hand as was Gladys “Mama” Hodge.

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Florida School of the Arts will offer its annual “An Evening of Dance” this Thursday through Sunday at the school that is housed on the campus of St. Johns River State College in Palatka.

Expect everything from ballet to modern dance, in the production choreographed by students.

The show is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with a 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinee on the Main Stage. Admission is $5. For more, call 386-312-4300.

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Check out Saturday Nite Live at the Larimer Arts Center on Saturday.

The concert includes three separate singer/musician acts including Elicia Benitez, Brent Lamb and Tiffany Sweet.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert is at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $7 with student tickets available for $5.